Ed.M. in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Sequence

With guidance from expert faculty, students enrolled in the Ed.M. in Special Education program with BCBA exam preparation coursework will learn the foundational principles of special education and applied behavior analysis. Coursework will help students develop competencies in the assessment and remediation of students with learning disabilities, teach collaborative teaching and consultation skills, and integrate principles of New Jersey special education law. ABA-specific required core classes will cover the basic principles of applied behavior analysis, ethics for behavior analysts, application of ABA principles, and strategies for teaching children with autism and related disorders. Students will also have the opportunity to take a minimum of one elective course in the area of Educational Psychology, Learning, Cognition, and Development, or Counseling Psychology.

For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.

This program typically takes 2 years to complete and includes:

• • 36 Graduate Course Credits
    • 18 Credits – Applied Behavior Analysis Core Courses
      • A grade of B or better is required for all ABA Core courses. An additional, seventh ABA course (18:820:522 Personnel Supervision and Management in ABA) must be taken to meet the academic requirements for eligibility to take the BCBA examination. Students will need to meet additional fieldwork experience requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. This seventh course, as well as the experience requirements, are not currently included in this degree program.
    • 15 Credits – Special Education Core Courses
    • 3 Credits – Elective Course
      • Elective course must be within Educational Psychology, Special Education, Counseling Psychology, or Learning, Cognition, and Development; No ABA/BCBA courses are permitted to fulfill the elective requirement. Electives must be approved by an advisor.

Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.

Graduates of the Ed.M. in Special Education with ABA Sequence program will have fulfilled the academic requirements needed to be eligible to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. In turn, they commonly go on to seek independent field opportunities outside of the GSE to complete the coinciding experience requirements that are mandatory in order to then sit for the exam. Graduates of the program seeking positions that do not require BCBA certification and who already have teacher certification may go on to pursue roles as special education teachers, special education consultants, or curriculum development specialists. Other opportunities may include roles as early intervention specialists, behavior coaches, student tutors, or advocates, advisors, or consultants in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors.

• Personal Statement 
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts

1. Collect the materials required for admission
2. Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
3. Submit supporting materials online
4. Any supporting materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be mailed to Graduate Admissions’ New Brunswick office. Their mailing address can be found here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us

Tuition: 

For tuition and fees information please visit the tuition landing page.

Financial Aid:

While students are encouraged to apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there are a number of other merit- and need-based support options, including loans and college work-study programs within and external to Rutgers. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

Scholarships, Fellowships & Assistantships:

Generous GSE alumni, friends, and community members have established and continue to donate to more than one dozen fellowships and scholarships to help deserving students reach their goals. These awards are granted on the basis of academic achievement and or financial need. While these awards are competitive, interested students are encouraged to apply for consideration and submit the required materials. Students must also submit a FAFSA application to be eligible.  

To review all current awards and learn more about the donors that established them, please click here.